Break in period for MH's

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Have you guys heard of a break in period for MH bulbs? I have 2 250W MH's. One of the lights turns on perfectly, the other one stays on for a couple mins then turns off. I took it back and exchanged it for another one. This one does the same thing. The LFS, said that I should give it a couple wks for the lights to break in. I think it's another defective bulb. I switched bulbs on each of the sockets and I get the same thing no matter which socket the bad bulb is in.

Should have use an eballast they don't do this.
What ballast are you using?

Also what other things are plugged into the same outlet as the ballast?
And yes there is a break-in period but lights should not continually flicker.

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Using a Hamilton. I have my skimmer plugged into the same power strip. Should I separate it and have the lights on their own?

It could help do a test on an unused outlet and let's see what happens

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My LFS spoke to the mfg. They're sending out a replacement again. We'll see how it goes.

How did it go GaMmA?
you are living the high life?

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Well just as I suspected, a defective bulb. The lights have been working for about a month now and they're great. High intensity which creates a nice effect in the water.

Did you put these on a timer? and how long do you keep them on?

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I have them on a timer. The actinics come on an hr before the metal halides come on and stay on for an hr after the mh's go off. 12 hrs total.